Qur’aanic Braille Workshop – Limbe,
Malawi – July 2009
All Praise is to Allah (S.W.T.) the Lord of the worlds
and Peace and Salutations be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.)
We thank Allah for giving us the opportunity to conduct
our second Qur’aanic Braille Workshop this year in Malawi.
Our hosts were the Malawi Union of the Blind and the
Islamic Information Bureau of Malawi. During our attendance in Geneva
last year for the World Blind Union Conference, Mr. Mohammed Mohyudin
who is the President of the Malawi Union of the Blind expressed his
desire for Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind to come to Malawi to teach
the blind the Holy Qur’aan. He indicated to us that there are
no facilities whatsoever for the blind who wish to learn about Islam
in his country. Hafez Faisal Mataya and Moulana Riaz Bhana of the Islamic
Information Bureau in Malawi generously co-hosted the workshop.
Malawi is an incredibly beautiful, landlocked country.
Its natural splendor includes lofty mountains and a spectacular lake.
The water is clear and warm. Stunning fish in an array of vibrant colors
can clearly be seen swimming and darting smoothly around the submerged
rocks in the lake. The people of Malawi are very friendly, hospitable
and courteous.
Our team of 4 members departed for Blantyre on the
2nd of July 2009.The workshop was conducted at Kanjedza lodge, situated
in Limbe, between the 3rd and the 7th of July 2009. Over 35 sighted
Ulema from various areas of Malawi, like Mangochi, Nkhota Nkhota, Balaka
etc attended.
Some of the participants, including gentlemen and
ladies were also specialist Braille teachers teaching at secular schools.
Approximately 11 blind students attended.
On the final day of the workshop, brothers Abdullah
Malinga and Abdullah Afaki beautifully read a few verses from the Holy
Qur’aan in Braille. Their melodious recitation, after just 5 days
of training, brought a tear to every person’s eye. It also reaffirmed
Allah’s miraculous promise- that He has made the Qur’aan
easy to learn.
During our discussions, Dr Hasting’s from the
education department of Malawi mentioned that on his travels to clients
in various areas of the country, the boot of his car is filled with
Braille Bibles sponsored from organizations based in Europe and America.
Whenever he meets Muslims they pester him for the Braille Qur’aan.
He explained that our coming to their country has given them insurmountable
hope. For the first time in their history, they have the opportunity
to read the Holy Qur’aan in Arabic Braille. Plans to translate
the Qur’aan into the local language of Chichewa also, are under
way, Insha Allah.
May Allah accept our efforts and reward everybody for
their assistance in organizing this workshop. Ameen.
(click on the thumbnails below
for larger images)
